İstanbul’a hoş geldiniz

Destination airport: Istanbul Airport IST

Flight duration: 2 h 55 min

1,768 km as the crow flies

Culinary specialities

Kebab
In Istanbul, kebab is more than just a dish – it's culture. Whether sliced from the spit, grilled or braised, the variety of preparation methods reflects the city's long culinary history.

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Did you know?

The new Istanbul Airport opened in 2018 and is one of the largest airports in the world. When completed in several phases, it is expected to handle up to 200 million passengers annually, making it one of the most significant hubs between Europe, Asia and the Middle East. The airport is located about 40 km northwest of Istanbul's city centre and replaces the former Atatürk Airport. The airport's tower is particularly impressive, architecturally inspired by the shape of a tulip – the national flower of Turkey.

Places of interest

The imposing Hagia Sophia is one of Istanbul's best-known landmarks – a structure with a turbulent history: once a Byzantine church, later an Ottoman mosque, then a museum, and today once again a place of worship. Its colossal dome and intricate mosaics make it a symbol of the cultural fusion between East and West.

A contrast to the quiet wonder is provided by the bustling Grand Bazaar, one of the oldest and largest covered markets in the world. In its labyrinthine network of alleys and courtyards, you'll find countless merchants selling spices, carpets, jewellery, and ceramics – a paradise for anyone who loves to haggle.

The modern Bosphorus Bridge ultimately not only connects the city's shores, but symbolically also connects two continents: Europe and Asia. Anyone who crosses it – whether by car or by boat underneath it – experiences the magic of this unique city between worlds.

Useless knowledge

• Many people don't know that some Istanbul locals try to make turning the döner meat on the spit in the street look like a „feat of skill“.
• Cats are so popular that some restaurants and cafés have special „cat menus“. For the cats, not for the guests!
• In Istanbul it's not unusual to meet someone on the street or in a café who will hug you without being asked – not out of rudeness, but as a sign of hospitality.